Tatum Edwards' sixth-inning grand slam was the difference in the game.

Photo Courtesy Scott Bruhn/NU Media Relations

Courtesy: NU Media Relations

04/16/2013

Lincoln - Tatum Edwards tossed a three-hit shutout and hit a grand slam to help the 18th-ranked Nebraska softball team complete a doubleheader sweep of Minnesota with a 4-0 victory in game two at Bowlin Stadium.

Edwards' efforts in the circle and at the plate helped Nebraska move into second place in the Big Ten Conference standings. The Huskers improved to 32-9 and 10-3 in league play with the sweep after entering the doubleheader one-half game behind Minnesota. The Golden Gophers fell to 26-15 overall and 9-5 in Big Ten play.

Edwards won her 20th game of the season, improving to 20-6 by tossing her conference-leading eighth shutout of the season. Two of the three hits were infield singles, while Edwards added nine strikeouts.

Nikki Anderson (4-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits in 3.1 innings of relief. The game was scoreless until Anderson worked herself into a bases-loaded jam with only one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Starter Kelsey Kimminau re-entered the game and got a key strikeout, before Tatum Edwards' blasted the first pitch she saw off the foul pole in left field for her first career grand slam.

Edwards finished 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs. Freshman Alicia Armstrong added two hits, as Nebraska out-hit Minnesota, 6-3.

The late-inning runs were necessary after Nebraska stranded four runners in scoring position over the first three innings.

Minnesota's only real threat came in the top of the fourth. The Golden Gophers loaded the bases with one out on a single, an error and a hit batter. But Tatum Edwards recorded a strikeout and a ground out to keep the game scoreless.

That set the stage for Nebraska's eighth win in its final at bat. Junior Taylor Edwards began the bottom of the sixth with a single before moving into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from senior Brooke Thomason. Freshman Hailey Decker and sophomore Mattie Fowler then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with one out. Kimminau re-entered the game and recorded a strikeout before Tatum Edwards' blast.

Edwards then faced only three batters in the top of the seventh, working around a leadoff infield single with the help of Nebraska's second double play of the game.

With Wednesday's scheduled game with Kansas canceled, the Huskers will return to action on Friday when they open a three-game series at Purdue.